Philosophy Is Like Ice Cream — What’s Your Flavor?

The Big Questions2 weeks ago126 Views

Philosophical schools are just like ice cream flavors—there are hundreds of them. And even before most people reach the end of the queue and get a good look at all the different flavors on offer, they’ve already decided they’ll get their two favorites. In a cup, with sprinkles on top, like they always do. You could say it’s a shame they don’t get to experience all the other flavors, but you could also argue there’s nothing wrong with sticking to what you know works. Who are we to judge someone enjoying that classic stracciatella if it’s never steered them wrong before?

So it often goes with philosophy as well. There are hundreds of flavors—Nihilism, Stoicism, Absurdism, Existentialism, Pragmatism, Rationalism, and many more. And just like ice cream, you can customize your flavors with toppings. Stoicism sprinkled with Aurelius, Absurdism topped with Camus, and Nihilism drizzled with Nietzsche.

So what flavor of philosophy is the best and should be your favorite?

Two Handles

It was Epictetus who noted, “Everything has two handles, the one by which it may be carried, the other by which it cannot.” In line with his Stoic flavor profile, he believed we always have a choice in how we perceive and handle a situation.

When a friend shows up late for the hundredth time, it’s easy to pass judgment. Your friend keeps you waiting, doesn’t respect your time, and therefore doesn’t respect you. So, they’re a jerk, and you shouldn’t hang out anymore. I think a lot of people might default to grabbing that handle. Myself included—being someone who’s always five minutes early.

But Epictetus would question what this handle, this perspective, will ultimately bring you. Using it, you’ll feel shitty about how you’re being treated, you might get into a fight instead of grabbing that drink, and worst case—you lose a friend. All this while you’re free to grab that second handle. The one where you try to see things from their perspective, try to understand why they’re late, and maybe realize they’re having an incredibly busy day. And even though they’re so busy, they made time to meet you, because spending time with you is important to them. Both interpretations have truth to them. So why grab the handle that makes you feel bad and might cost you a friendship?

The way you live your life is all about perspective. Is your boss a jerk for not giving you that promotion, or is this a sign that it’s time for a new chapter in your career? Are you mourning the loss of a relationship, or excited to find such a loving connection again?

The perspective through which you look at life can change a bad day into a good one, struggle into opportunity, and an enemy into a friend. So why limit yourself to a single philosophical perspective? Why not rather give yourself the power of wielding perspectives like Nihilism, Absurdism, and Rationalism in a way that keeps you moving, positive, and kinder to those around you?

Pick Those Cherries

Those whose favorite flavor of philosophy is Cynicism might rightfully point out that changing your philosophical perspective based on what suits you in the moment sounds an awful lot like cherry-picking—selecting only the ideas that are convenient while ignoring others that might challenge you. How can you be consistent if you just change the way you approach things willy-nilly?

This would mean you could scold someone for gaining weight, as Socrates clearly taught that you should prioritize virtue over pleasure. But when you gain weight yourself, it’s okay—because Camus argued that life is absurd, and trying to impose strict order (including over our bodies) is ultimately futile.

It’s clear that almost every argument can be backed up by a school of philosophy. Nietzsche’s philosophy, for example, was twisted and reinterpreted by the Nazis, leading to one of the most harrowing periods in human history. Yet, Nietzsche’s view on life can also be inspiring and give strength to people who need it. “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” A credo that has helped many people through tough times, even today.

This shows that philosophical schools and arguments truly go Beyond Good and Evil (pun intended). It’s not the philosophical thought itself that determines if it’s good or bad, but the people who wield it.

Still, I would urge everyone to pick those cherries and always consider multiple philosophical perspectives. Be open-minded—even to perspectives you don’t like. If you look at the world through one single perspective, you’re limiting yourself. If you approach everything through the lens of Nihilism, for example, nothing would matter—and where’s the fun in that?

But try not to pick a cherry just because it’s convenient or because it fits your prejudices. It might be tempting to think that the end justifies the means, but you’ll only fool yourself if you base your beliefs on what’s convenient.

So how do you decide which cherry to pick, which handle to grab, and what the philosophical flavor of the day will be?

Look at You

By this point, you’ve probably realized I’m not going to answer the question posed in the title (clickbait much!). I asked what the best school of philosophy is and gave you the most classic philosophical answer ever: it depends!

So the least I can do is explain what it depends on. And here it is: The most important factor in deciding what school of philosophy is the best is… you!

Look at you, getting cited in a blog alongside the likes of Epictetus and Nietzsche—who’d have thought?

All jokes aside, let me explain.

As we touched on before, philosophical schools give you tools to view the world from different perspectives. And just like any other tool, you are free to use them however you see fit. You get to decide how you interpret things and how you subsequently react to them. But this freedom comes with a responsibility. If you’re not careful, you might set yourself on a path where the ends justify the means, or where the world around you dictates who you are instead of the other way around.

The key to wielding these tools responsibly—toward yourself and others—is clearly defining who you are and what your values are.

Define Your Values

It’s no coincidence that personal values are one of the most discussed topics in philosophy—so much so that I could write an entire blog on them (and probably will).

Philosophers throughout history have stressed how much your values shape your life. Marcus Aurelius put it simply: “A person’s worth is measured by the worth of what he values.” Socrates often referred to the famous phrase “Know thyself,” inscribed at the Temple of Apollo in Delphi. He believed that understanding yourself—your strengths, weaknesses, and values—is key to personal growth and living a good life.

Your values are ultimately up to you. But they’re not set in stone, and taking the time to define them clearly can give you a lot of direction.

I’ve had plenty of conversations about philosophy where the real differences weren’t about schools of thought but about the values we held. Where I value personal growth, I find ways to challenge myself through Stoicism. Meanwhile, a friend who values authenticity finds in those same texts a way to not be held back by the opinions of others.

Defining your values isn’t just an abstract exercise—it shapes how you engage with philosophy itself. If you value kindness, Nietzsche’s cold shoulder might not be for you—Schopenhauer’s focus on compassion might resonate more instead. If you value freedom, Plato’s rigid ideal society might feel suffocating—so why not embrace Sartre’s radical existential choice?

So, What’s Your Flavor?

Next time the sun is shining, and you’re in line for ice cream, make sure you know what flavors are available before you choose. And don’t just stick with the ones you know you’ll like—try something new, you might be surprised.

Think about what you value in a flavor—and how all the different options might fit into that.

You might just enjoy the best-tasting ice cream cone ever—or at least the most philosophical one.